José Andrés Replacing Cafe Atlantico With America Eats

Moving right along from his win at the James Beard Awards, José Andrés announced today that he is closing the Penn Quarter location of Cafe Atlantico and transforming it into a pop-up restaurant celebrating all-American cuisine.

America Eats Tavern will open on July 4 in partnership with an upcoming National Archives exhibit for which Andrés will serve as chief culinary adviser, "What's Cooking, Uncle Sam? The Government's Effect on the American Diet." According to a press release, the restaurant will run for six months and "will offer a new take on American classics and celebrate native ingredients and some long forgotten dishes, from burgoo to oysters Rockefeller." There will be a casual tavern menu on the ground floor and a more upscale menu offered on the upper floors of the Cafe Atlantico space. Andrés has long spoken out about national food policies, health and sustainability issues, and so the restaurant plans to explore and illuminate the themes of the National Archives exhibit that traces the history of American government food policy. The pop-up will donate its profits to the National Archives.

The Nuevo Latino Cafe Atlantico will shutter June 12, but expect it to resurface at some point in a new location. And, to allay your concerns: minibar will remain untouched on the second floor of America Eats Tavern.

· What's Cooking, Uncle Sam? [Official Site]
· All Previous José Andrés Coverage [-EDC-]

America’s “Outstanding Chef” José Andrés Partners with the Foundation for the
National Archives to Open America Eats Tavern This Summer in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. (May 16, 2011) Following his win for Outstanding Chef at the James Beard Foundation Awards, the food world’s Oscars, José Andrés announces a groundbreaking partnership with the Foundation for the National Archives in support of the National Archives’ exhibit, What’s Cooking, Uncle Sam? The Government’s Effect on the American Diet, opening June 10th, 2011, in Washington, DC. José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup will create a temporary American restaurant as a culinary destination and extension of the National Archives’ exhibit. Located just steps away from the National Archives building, José Andrés and partner Rob Wilder will transform their renowned Café Atlántico restaurant into America Eats Tavern with a menu and environment inspired by the exhibit and the rich history of American cooking. José has also been named Chief Culinary Advisor to the exhibit What’s Cooking, Uncle Sam? contributing to both the exhibit catalog and recipe book, as well as collaborating with the National Archives on a series of public programs that will focus on the role of Government in our daily diet.

At America Eats Tavern, opening July 4th 2011, José Andrés will apply his innovative style to an American restaurant; his first new restaurant concept in Washington since opening in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Named after the Works Progress Administration (WPA) writers project of the 1930s, America Eats will offer a new take on American classics and celebrate native ingredients and some long forgotten dishes, from burgoo to oysters Rockefeller. With recipes and stories collected through extensive research, and with help from the National Archives and a culinary advisory council of chefs and scholars, the menu will showcase the fascinating history of our nation one plate at a time—whether it’s the origins of New England clam chowder or the introduction of grapefruit to America. A casual tavern menu will be offered on the ground floor, while a more refined and elegant menu will be featured on the second and third floors.

America Eats will also be a six-month “benefit” destination in support the National Archives Experience exhibition program. Profits gained from the restaurant during the run of the What’s Cooking, Uncle Sam? exhibit will be donated to The Foundation for the National Archives. To bring this restaurant to life, José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup is partnering with sponsors such as the Dole Food Company to support its philanthropic goals, and to aid in the effort to promote awareness and discussion on national food policies and health and nutrition issues.

Café Atlántico, D.C.’s beloved Nuevo Latino restaurant will end its run at 405 8th Street NW, on June 12, 2011. Originally created by ThinkFoodGroup partner Roberto Alvarez, Café Atlántico has had three different locations over the past 25 years and now José and ThinkFoodGroup look forward to finding the next home for Café Atlántico. Minibar by josé andrés will continue to operate its six-seat bar on the second floor of the new America Eats. During a brief break in June, the location’s décor will be transformed from Café Atlántico to America Eats under the direction of New York design firm SEED. America Eats and minibar by josé andrés will reopen on July 4th. America Eats will be open daily for lunch and dinner. Minibar by josé andrés will continue to offer its innovative menu Tuesday through Saturday with two seatings per night, 6pm and 8:30pm. At the end of the exhibit What’s Cooking, Uncle Sam? in January 2012, ThinkFoodGroup will begin preparations for the next phase of 405 8th Street, NW, and minibar by josé andrés.